Unit Plan Project - Factoring With Polynomials

By:  Carla Sorrell and Allison Trask

Teacher Component

Student Component

Overview

Rationale

References

Grading Scale

This unit is a fun approach to teaching students about factoring!!  Our unit focuses on teaching students how to factor polynomials.  We begin the unit by using Algebra Tiles to give students a hands-on approach to learning mathematics.  These manipulatives are used throughout the unit to help students who are visual learners.  Students will learn the basic ways to factor polynomials, including factoring special products and factoring by grouping.  Students will also apply this knowledge by solving quadratic equations and working in groups to solve real world problems.  This unit will engage all students in active mathematical learning.  This unit would be of use for an Algebra I teacher to incorporate in his or her classroom.  As you will see in the Rationale, this unit connects to the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the goals and objectives of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS). 

We hope that you enjoy our unit that we have created for a middle school mathematics Algebra class.  If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail Carla Sorrell at SorrellC@meredith.edu or Allison Trask at allison_trask@yahoo.com.  Thank you and enjoy!